Henry steinberg



(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. STEINBERG. PAVEMENT OR ROADWAY.

Patented Mar. 19, 1889. 79

@207: zze/iezy IFZV 0%? F v l l I l I ll (No Model.) 2 SheetsS'heet 2.

H. STEINBERG.

PAVEMENT'OR ROADWAY. No. 400,013. Patented Mar. 19, 1889.

UNITED STATES PATENT OE icE.

HENRY {.TEINBERG, OF IVASIIINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

PAVEMENT OR ROADWAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 400,013, dated March 19, 1889. Application filed November 20, 1888. $erial No. 291,402. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY STEINBERG, who have declared myintention of becoming a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have in vented new and useful Improvements in Pavements or Roadways, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to pavements for roadways and sidewalks, and the purpose thereof is to provide a novel and simple construction of paving-block, whereby a series of blocks may be easily and rapidly combined to form a road-bed in such manner that a load or strain imposed upon anyone or more of said blocks shall be distributed among the adjacent blocks, the whole being so arranged that they are practically equivalent to an integral structure.

It is the purpose of my invention, also, to provide a conduit for electric and other wires, which may be quickly constructed, durable and free from moisture, and to which access may be had at suitable points without tearing up or otherwise mutilating the roadway.

The invention consists in the several novel features of construction and new combinations of parts, hereinafter fully set forth, and then specifically pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section showing a series of blocks combined to form a conduit for electrical conductors. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of a portion of the road-bed. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 4c is a perspective view of the series of blocks shown in Fig. 1. Fig; 5 is a detail perspective of one of the central blocks of the series shown in Figs. 2 and Fig. 6 is a similar view of one of the side blocks shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 7 is a similar view of one of the removable block-sections giving access to the conduit, and showing the bottom plate or block from which the removable section is detachable. Fig. 8 is a detail view showing the reversing-block employed with or near the removable block-sections.

In the said drawings the reference-numeral 1. denotes the series of interlocking block-sections forming the conduit. These conduitblocks, which are shown in detail in Fig. 5, maybe made of wood or other suitable material; but I prefer to construct them of pottery-clay, asphalt, slag, or other compound which is capable of being formed in a mold. Each block 1 is rectangular and oblong, standing upon one of its longer edges, and upon its upper corresponding edge is formed a rectangular block or surface-plate, 2, having one edge in about the median longitudinal line of the block 1, while nearly half the body of said block 2 projects over the edge of the block 1. The surface-block 2 may in some forms of construction be co-extensive in length with the block 1, having exposed shoulders 3.

In the body of the block is formed an opening, 4, which, for the sake of strength, is arched. When the blocks 1 are arrangedface to face, to bring the openings 1 to register, the overhanging portion of the surfaceblock 2 will rest upon the adjacent block 1, just in rear of the corresponding surfaceblock 2 on the adjacent block. The dimensions of the parts are such, however, that an opening or interstice, 5, is formed between the blocks 2, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, and I.

\Vith a series of four or more blocks 1 are combined two end blocks, 6, (shown in Fig. 6,) and consisting of an oblong rectangular body of suitable length, having a T-head or double-flange surface-plate, 7, projecting beyond each face of the block far enough to overlie the shoulders 3 of the block 1, leaving an opening of a width similar to the width of the interstice 5. These end blocks are set btween two parallel series of the conduit-blocks 1, the ends of which abut against the faces of the blocks 13, while the double flange 7 rests upon the adjacent ends or shoulders 8, in both series, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

At suitable points in the conduit, where man-holes would ordinarily be employed, I interpose a removable block-section, consisting of a block, 8, of suitable dimensions, having a top plate or surface-block, 9, which projects equally upon all sides of the block 8. This block is provided with an opening which forms part of the continuous conduit; but in place of constructing the entire body in an integral piece I mold the bottom S separately and form thereon dowels 10, which enter openings 12 in the ends of the block 8. The latter is made, moreover, of such length that the ends of the top plate or surfaceblock, 9, are flush with the outer edges of the of the end blocks, as shown in Fig. 3, the same space 5 being preservedbetween the edges of the surface-plate and the parts adjacent as in the construction already described. Upon the bottom plate, 8, I may mount supports or posts 13, for the support of the electric conductors. Lateral openings 14 may be formed in the ends of the conduitblocks 1 for the admission of side wires. Whenever the removable block-sections 8 are employed, the next adjacent or alternating series of blocks should have a reversingblock, 1*, in which the surface-plate fZKis located in the central longitudinal line of the paving-block 1, as shown in Fig. 8, thus enabling the contractor to lay the blocks 1, having the overhanging surface-plates on one side, without leaving any vacant spaces. These reversing-blocks may be employed in each alternating series of blocks on either one or both sides of each removable blocksection 8; or one of the same may be used anywhere in the series of blocks between the removable block-sections, and on each side thereof, but at any point between the said removable block-section and the next block-section having a similar form. \Vhen laid in the manner shown, the interstitial spaces '5 are filled with sand, asphaltum, concrete, or other suitable filling, forming a binding which cements the blocks together and prevents surface-drainage into the con duit. lVhen access to the latter is required, it is only necessary to remove this filling and raise the removable block-section 8, which is readily replaced and the filling restored without injury to or mutilation of the road-bed, and with very little expense of time and labor.

\Vhen united in the manner described and shown, the several blocks are interdependent for support, the conduit-block l and end blocks 2, overlying one upon another, whereby their relative positions are preserved, and weight or stress upon one section is distributed throughout the adjacent sections. The blocks being molded can be made very cheaply and caused to fit with great precision, thus enabling the roadway to be laid with ease and rapidity. A pavement formed of such block provides a series of parallel conduits well adapted for electrical conductors, and giving ample accommodation to any desired number thereof, as well as ready access to the same at any time.

lVhat I claim is 1. A pavement composed of a series of rectangular conduit-blocks, each provided with an opening and having an overhanging surface plate or block resting partly upon the adjacent block, in combination with rectangular end blocks having double-flanged surface-plates resting upon the exposed ends of the two adjacent and parallel series of blocks, said end blocks presenting their longer faces to the butts or ends of the conduit-blocks, substantially as described.

2. A pavement or road-bed formed of a series of rectangular conduitblocks having openings and each provided with a surface plate or block formed on and projecting beyond a portion of the top of the conduit-block, a series of end blocks having their surface-plates projecting on bot-h sides of the same and overlying the adjacent ends of two parallel series of conduit-blocks, an interstitial space being left between the adjacent edges of the several surface-plates and packed with a suitable filling, substantially as described.

3. I11 a pavement composed of a series of rectangular blocks having openings forming a conduit, a removable section consisting of a block formed in two parts united by dowels, one of which is separable from the other, said block having a surface-plate projecting upon all sides and resting upon the adjacent blocks, substantially as described.

at. In a pavement, the combination, with two or more parallel series of rectangular conduit-blocks having suitable openings and each provided with a surface plate or block rising from and projecting beyond a part of the top of the conduit-block, of aseries of end blocks placed lengthwise between the parallel series, said blocks having surface plates projecting beyond their longer parallel faces and resting upon the ends of the conduit-blocks in two adjacent series, and removable sections consisting of bottom plates having dowels and body portions having surface-plates projecting on all sides, said blocks being of a size to lie flush with the outer surfaces of the end plates inclosing the conduit-blocks, and an interstitial space being left between the adjacent edges of the surface-plates and filled with a suitable material, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY S. EINBERG.

Witnesses:

GEo. W. REA, .TAMEs A. RUTHERFORD. 

